Community & Cultural Connections

Newcomer Community Events

Community Support Workshops

Newcomer Workshops and Networking Program

Join us to settle into your new home and make meaningful connections!

Newcomer women, youth and gender-diverse folks often face additional barters when settling into their new community and making lasting friendships when arriving to Canada. Our FREE workshops and networking program will help connect you to local services and resources.

Our goal is to help you make new friends, build networks and participate in your community in a way that is meaningful to you. We will do this through providing you with the support that you need to engage, to network and develop cross-cultural connections.

Our services are available online, in person, and over the phone. Call or email us to book an online or in-person appointment with our staff.

Field Trips

Join us to spend time experiencing local gems in our community and service providers that will support your settlement. Together, we will tour our local libraries, banks, community health services, parenting supports and more.

Events and Workshops

Join us to engage in unique events and workshops tailored to help you connect with your community. Together, participants will participate in information sessions related to health, education and housing and will experience cross-cultural networking and connections with local Indigenous peoples.

On-going Workshops:

Indigenous Connection Program

In-Person Workshop | Free of Cost
Where: Putman Family YWCA | When: on-going workshop, please contact us for details

The YWCA Hamilton has an exciting free program that seeks to bridge the gap between Indigenous Canadians and Newcomers identifying as women, gender-diverse or non-binary individuals.

Each journey to Canada is a unique and often difficult path. This program seeks to fill knowledge gaps in Canadian culture, history and current issues.

Address: 52 Ottawa Street North

Registration is required

Connection Through Art

In-Person Workshop | Free of Cost
Where: Putman Family YWCA | When: on-going workshop, please contact us for details

FREE Arts-based program for newcomers to Canada in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Burling!

JOIN us for a paint meet and greet!

Address: 52 Ottawa Street North

Registration is required

Conversation Circles

In-Person Workshop | Free of Cost
Where: YWCA Hamilton locations | When: every Friday from 10 am – 12 pm

Join us for a casual conversation about life in Canada – whether it be discussing Health& Wellness, Settlement & Integration, Canadian Culture, or just a small talk about the week, these circles help improve English skills through informal group listening and speaking while promoting new friendships and social connections among newcomer women.

Free Childminding depending on location and bus tickets are available.

Address:
Downtown – 75 MacNab St. S
Putman Family YWCA – 52 Ottawa Street North
Munar Learning Centre – 303 York Boulevard

Drop-ins are welcome: No prior registration required

Enhanced Supports

Our staff team will support you in providing care for your children while you attend our services. We will also assist you with transportation, translation and interpretation services to make our programming accessible.

Mothers’ Support

Are you a newcomer new mother or a volunteer who wants to provide support to new mothers? Our New Mothers’ Support Services serve to connect newcomer mothers to local services and resources, provide meaningful networking opportunities, and support you in your post-partum journey. The following services are being offered as part of the YWCA’s Newcomer Support initiatives. We are pleased to offer:

Our volunteer assistance program is available to newcomer new mothers in Hamilton and the surrounding area with infants 0-12 months of age who may be feeling overwhelmed or at risk of postpartum depression
Providing weekly virtual or in-home volunteer visits from a trained volunteer, for up to 6 months
Offering practical support and social interaction